If you’re looking for high-quality dividend stocks that pay better-than-average yields, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a quick look at two that you could buy right now.
Chartwell Retirement Residences
Chartwell Retirement Residences (TSX:CSH.UN) is the largest owner and operator of senior residences in Canada. As of December 31, 2016, its portfolio consists of 188 communities, including 133 fully owned, 46 partially owned, and nine managed communities that are located across Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta
Chartwell currently pays a monthly distribution of $0.048 per unit, representing $0.576 per unit on an annualized basis, which gives its stock a yield of about 3.7% at today’s levels.
In addition to being a high yielder, Chartwell is an up-and-coming distribution-growth star. It has raised its annual distribution each of the last two years, and its 2.5% hike in February has it positioned for 2017 to mark the third consecutive year with an increase.
I think Chartwell can continue to grow its distribution for many years to come. I think its very strong financial performance, including its 13.3% year-over-year increase in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) to $0.85 per unit 2016, its greatly improved payout ratio, including 65.4% of its AFFO in 2016 compared with 72.6% in 2015, and the growing demand for senior care services, which can be attributed to Canada’s aging population, will allow its streak of annual distribution increases to continue into the 2020s.
Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY), or RBC for short, is Canada’s second-largest bank as measured by assets with approximately $1.16 trillion as of January 31. It offers a wide range of financial products and services to over 16 million customers in Canada, the United States, and 35 other countries around the world.
RBC currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, representing $3.48 per share on an annualized basis, which gives its stock a yield of about 3.6% today.
Like Chartwell, RBC has shown a dedication to growing its dividend, but it’s a proven star rather than an up-and-comer. It has raised its annual dividend payment each of the last six years, and its two hikes in the last 10 months, including its 2.5% hike in August 2016 and its 4.8% hike in February of this year, have it on pace for 2017 to mark the seventh consecutive year with an increase.
I think RBC is a top pick for dividend growth going forward as well. It has a target dividend-payout range of 40-50% of its net income available to common shareholders, so I think its continued growth, including its 3.9% year-over-year increase to $10.11 billion in 2016 and its 24.3% year-over-year increase to $2.94 billion in the first quarter of 2017, and its improved payout ratio, including 41.9% in the first quarter of 2017 compared with 47.6% in fiscal 2016, will allow its streak of annual dividend increases to continue for another seven years at least.
Which should you buy today?
Chartwell Retirement Residences and RBC would make great additions to any Foolish portfolio, so take a closer look and strongly consider adding one of them to yours.
